900 marijuana plants discovered during theft arrest

Gilroy police found what are touting as an "elaborate" marijuana growing operation at the duplex on Rosanna Street (7129 and 7125 Rosanna St.) The grow was discovered after three men were found allegedly stealing marijuana plants around 3 a.m. Tuesday on

Three Gilroy residents were arrested around 3 a.m. this morning for drug possession when they were allegedly found driving a car on the 7100 block of Rosanna Street so packed with marijuana that the trunk would not close.

Shortly after the arrest, Gilroy police officers found a duplex at 7125 and 7129 Rosanna St. was operating an “elaborate” indoor pot grow of more than 900 plants, worth an estimated $400,000, according to GPD Sgt. Chad Gallacinao.

Other suspicious vehicles were found as well, but fled upon seeing the police.

The suspects in the car that police did identify are David Vasquez, 18, Armando Gonzalez, 18, and Rene Lujan, 19. They were arrested for possession of marijuana and transportation of marijuana. Vasquez was arrested with residential burglary.

Police say it does not appear the three suspects who were arrested are responsible for the cultivation. Gallacinao said he could not talk about whether or not someone had been arrested for operating the indoor pot grow.

After locating the plants in the trunk, GPD noticed that the houses nearby had been broken into. When the officers searched the residences of the suspects, they found hydroponic grow lights, irrigation systems, chemicals, fertilizer and more than 900 marijuana plants, Gallacinao said.

PG&E also said that the person or persons responsible for the marijuana grow stole $160,000 of electricity.

Gallacinao did say GPD has responded to the same house once in the last six months (November) for graffiti found on the garage door.

On Tuesday late afternoon, residents of the 7100 Rosanna St. block were outside washing their cars, coming home from work and playing with their children. None of them said they had seen any suspicious drug activity in their neighborhood.

“I haven’t heard of anything like that,” said resident Julia Trejo.

The investigation will continue, and police ask that anyone with information call Detective Bill Richmond at 846-0350 with tips. Anyone who wishes to remain anonymous call We-Tip at 1-800-782-7463.